Cost of Living in North Liberty, IA

Population 20,782 · Iowa · Data vintage 2023

96
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives North Liberty a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $300,000. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 2.9% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Geographically, North Liberty sits roughly 15 miles south of Cedar Rapids. Median home values run roughly 69% higher than Cedar Rapids' $177,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 98
Rent 93

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in North Liberty

The median home value in North Liberty is $300,000 — 2% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,226/month, 7% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $103,933/year is 39% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 2.9%, below the national average of 4.8%. Iowa's top state income tax rate is 5.7% and the combined sales tax is 6.9%. The climate averages highs of 60.9°F and lows of 41.0°F. Overall, North Liberty has a cost of living index of 96 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 4% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$300,000
2% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$306,226
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,226/mo
7% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,462/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.4x
Favors renting
Property Tax Rate
1.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$646
1 BR
$716
2 BR
$877
3 BR
$1,170
4 BR
$1,287
Owner-occupied 68.5%
Renter-occupied 31.5%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,226
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,840/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
24.7 min
9% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
13.4%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
73.2%
Carpooled
11.9%
Public transit
0.8%
Walked
0.6%
Work from home
13.4%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.7%
Total Sales Tax 6.9%
State rate 6.0%
Avg local rate 0.9%
Property Tax 1.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$103,933
39% above avg
Per Capita Income
$54,241
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
39% below avg
Poverty Rate
4.4%
Labor Force Participation
79.7%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 33.2%
Graduate degree 20.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 31.8
Male median age 30.1
Female median age 34.3

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
60.9°F
Avg Low
41.0°F
Annual Precip
35.7"
10° 30° 50° 70° 90° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 313650637383868478644936
Low °F 151930405262666354423020
Precip" 1.041.212.213.764.485.293.913.943.242.982.171.45

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 53 — Moderate
39.2%
Good air days/yr
210
Max AQI recorded
365
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in North Liberty, IA?

North Liberty has a cost index of 96 (100 = national average). It is 4% below the national average.

What is average rent in North Liberty, IA?

The median gross rent in North Liberty is $1,226 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in North Liberty?

The median home value in North Liberty is $300,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in North Liberty?

The median household income in North Liberty is $103,933 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in North Liberty, IA?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in North Liberty is 6.9%. The Iowa state income tax top rate is 5.7%.

Is North Liberty, IA affordable?

North Liberty is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 96 (100 = US average).

What is the weather like in North Liberty?

North Liberty has average high temperatures of 60.9°F and average lows of 41.0°F. Annual precipitation is 35.7". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

North Liberty at a Glance

Population
20,782
Median Income
$103,933
Home Value
$300,000
Median Rent
$1,226/mo
Unemployment
2.9%
Avg High Temp
60.9°F
Sales Tax
6.9%
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